Coin-controlled lock.



C. J. BENNETT.

GOIN GONTROLLED LOCK.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T.2e, 1912.

1,096,671.. Patentealvfay 12, 1914.

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WITNESSES:

l N VENTOR C. J. BENNETT. COIN CONTROLLBD LOOK. APPLIUATION rILBD ooTxza, 1912.

1,096,671 Patented May 12, 1914,

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WITNESS ES:

1N VEN TOR ORN In! l i l CHARLES J. BENNETT, OF SANTA. CRUZ, CALIFORNIA.`

COIN-CONTROLLED LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 1914.

Application filed Gctober 28, 1912. Serial No. 728,255.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES J. BENNETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Santa Cruz, in the county of Santa Cruz and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Coin Controlled Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mechanism for controlling the operation of a lock and a latch.

The object of the present invention is to provide a substantial, reliable and self-contained coin-controlled locking mechanism embodying a device for preventing the removal of the key from the actuating lock, and which device, through means of the lock, controls the operation o f a latch to prevent the opening of a door upon which the selfcontained mechanism may be mounted.

The invention consists in the combination of a suitable easing and an appropriate form of lock mounted thereon, with means for preventing the removal of the key from the lock without the insertion of a coin, check, or other token, and in combination with a latch, the movement of which is controlled by the mechanism.

Figure 1 is a rear view of a door with the 80 self-contained and locking mechanism applied. Fig. 2 shows the controlling device in locking and key releasing position. Fig.

3 is a horizontal cross section in the plane of the top of the latch and lever. Fig. 4i is 85 a view showing in perspective detail parts.

In its illustrated embodiment, my invention comprises a suitably shaped panel, stamped casting, or other form of casing member 2, which may be attached in any suitable manner to the door or other structurc 3 which it is desired to keep in a locked position, and which may be hingedly connected for movement. The casing may be provided with suitable interlocking devices i or projections 11 adapted to automatically lock or register with complementary recesses or pockets 5, formed von the door or structure 3 to .which they apparatus is to be ap plied. The casing member 2 is provided with a coin or other device receiving slot 6 which opens and inclines inwardly and downwardly and is adapted to receive a coin which, if it be of the proper denomination or size, will, during `its gravitation through the slot or channel formed for its reception, abut against the engaging shoulder 7 of a lever 8. The lever 8 is pivotally fulcrumed, as at t), on the inside of the lock casing or frame 2; the upper end of the lever being provided with a seat 10 for the engagement of a spring 11, the function of which is to throw the lever in one direction or toward the barrel or other lock body 19.. Upon the lock body 12 is mounted a movable cylinder or member 13, adapted to be turned by a key 14, the handle end of which projects outwardly, normally, through the lock casing 2.

The lever 8 is adapted to be oscillated against the restraint of its spring 11 by means of a lug 15, carried by the movable member 13 of the lock 12. lVhen the key 14: is turned, the lug 15 moves into engagement with and may swing the lever about its fulcrum. However, the continued uninterrupted movement of the key, with its associated movable member', in the lock is prevented by the interception of the lug 15 with a pawl 16 also pivoted on the pivot 9; the pawl having a shoulder 17 against which the lug of the lock member 13 will abut during its movement without some means having been introduced for coupling the lever 8 temporarily with the pawl 1G.

In the present invention it is contemplated that a sul'licient movement of the key and its associated lock member 13 may be had only after a coupler, connector or bridge, as a coin or other desired device indicated at 18, is introduced into the mechanism by insertion through the slot (5 of the panel 2, and which, when introduced and of the right size, will lodge against the intercepting shoulder 7 of the lever and also against the intercepting or engaging shoulder 19 formed on the pawl 1G. This pawl, as before stated, has theV abutment or stop shoulder 17; this being normally held in the path of the lug 15 of the lock member 13 by the pressure of a spring arm Q0 engaging the latch 16. When the proper coin or other connector has been introduced and remains sustained by and between the shoulders 7 of the lever' and 19 of the latch, then when the key 1li is forcibly turned, the lug 15 moves into engagement. against the contiguous portion of the lever 8. This is bodily rocked about its fulerum 9; the power applied to the key acting through the lug 15 upon the lever 8, and this in turn pressing `against the inserted coin 18 enables the latter, abutting the engaging shoulder 19 of the pawl, to actuate the pawl 16 to rock simultaneously as if ine tegral with the lever 8. The key 1a is turned by the operator without restraint ot the latch, other than from the resistance ot' the spring' 20, until the key is in such position with relation to the/lock structure 12 that it is free to be released therefrom or inserted therein.

llfhen a person desires to deposit a parcel or other property in a closet, wardrobe, locker, or whatever the structure may be to which the mechanism is applied, the door or closure 3 is designed to be unlocked when the key 14v is in the lock restraining mechanism, so that tree access may be had to the locke-r, for instance, and after depositing the property in the locker, the party then closes the door 3. By depositing the required coin or device in the mechanism by insertion through the slot 6 a person may turn the key; the coin acting as a coupler or connector betweenthe lever and the pawl and permitting the key-actuated member 13, with the key, to be moved sutliciently to entirely remove t-he key.

Simultaneously with the movement oi the key and its associated lock device a latch bolt 2]. mounted on the door or panel 2 will become locked by the upwardly lifted corner or portion 22 of the latch 1G, which is so formed as to move into a position behind, or in such relation to the latch bolt 21 as to prevent this from being withdrawn from its keeper, unless the key, as 14A, is inserted in the lock 12 and actuated so as to release the latch bolt 21 by the movement or removal of the latch 1G.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the door structure 3, with its attached controlling device 2, is unlocked, the key 11i will be in the lock 12 and restrained against removal therefrom until a coin or other lrequisite coupler, as 18, has been introduced, so that a party wishing to use the locker or other receptacle may insert property therein, closethe door 3, drop a coin in the slot G, which coin becomes operative as a coupler, and then by turning the key le the lever 8 with the latch 16 moves as a whole under the force of the lug 15 turned by the key 14e, simultaneously moving the latch bolt stop 22 into such relation with the latch bolt 21 as to lock it against movement to prevent opening of the door. Then the key 14E may be removed and the door can only be opened again by its :re-insertion and reverse movement which will allow the springs 11 and 2O to return their coperative members, as lever 8 and latch' 16, to normal position; the latch reassuming its position to stop the swinging movement of the lug 15 of the lock 12, and at the same time releasing the latch bolt 21. rlhen the door may be opened and the key 14 locked in its cooperative lock 12.

Preferably the coilrreceiving slot G will Loeacvi be so proportioned and 4formed as to permit or' the insertion of the coin or coupler, as 18, of the right diameter or size. In the event that a smaller sized piece is introduced in the slot (3, this is rejected by the apparatus, as it will ifall freely through the oppositely disposed abutment devices or shoulders 7 and 19 and fall. through and discharge from an escape slot 2st and will be returned to the depositor. ln the event that an over-sized coin Vor piece is inserted into the device, it will be unable to properly lodge between the receiving shoulders 7 and 19, and when the person attempting to remove the key turns it, the consequent movement or' the lever 8 will cause the shoulder 7 to roll the piece introduced over the shoulder 19, whereupon the oversized piece will be rejected and discharged outwardly through a slot or opening 25. 1When the proper sized piece is introduced and serves its function as a coupler or rigid connector between the lever shoulder 7 and the latch shoulder 19, the piece will be released, when the key is turned a requisite amount to permit its removal, and falls into a collecting drawer or box 26 which is formed on or attached to the easing or panel 2 and to which access may be had by the proprietor of the establishment. v

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. rlhe combination with a bolt, of a pawl normally clear of the bolt and adapted to intercept the same, a key actuated cylinder having a lug for actuating said pawl anda key for said cylinder, said pawl being designed to intercept the lug to prevent removal of the key, and a lever acting in combination with the pawl to sustain a proper coin and engageable by said lug, whereby the pawl may be actuated, when the proper piece is inserted, to intercept the bolt and clear said lug from restraint to permit the removal of the key.

2. ln a coin-controlled lock, a lock-casing having a coin feed slot, a key cylinder and a key therefor, a lug arojecting from the cylinder, a normally projected bolt movable on the casing, a pawl having a shoulder with which said cylinder lug is engageable vand having a rest for a proper sized coin insertible in the feed slot, and a lever having a rest and cooperating with the rest on the pawl to sustain said coin when inserted, said lever engaging and coacting with rthe cylinder lug so that when the cylinder is turned by its key the pawl shoulder is actuated to a position to clear the cylinder lug so that the key can be removed, the coin released, and the bolt intercepted. v

3. ln a coin-controlled lock, a lock-'casing having a coin feed slot and coin return slots, a key cylinder and a key therefor, a lug on the cylinder, a normally projected bolt movable on the easing, a pawl having a shoulder with which said cylinder lug is engageable and having a rest for a proper sized coin insertible in the feed slot, and a lever having a rest and ooperating with the rest on the pawl to sustain said coin When inserted, said lever engaging and coacting With the cylinder lug Whereby When the cylinder is turned by its key the paWl shoulder is actuated to a position to clear the cylinder lug so that the key can be removed, the coin Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. i

Washington, 1D. C.

Witnesses. Y

CHARLES J. BENNETT. Witnesses J. R. Soorr, E. C. KRAMER. 

